A Texas JR. QB Gets a Michigan Visitor

Don Hoekwater

01/26/2005

The Michigan coaches are out in force recruiting for next year. One position that appears to be a major focus is quarterback, and one of the nations top signal callers recently receieved a visit from Wolverine quarterback coach Scot Loeffler. <br><br><b>Matthew Stafford</b> from Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas already sports offers from some big-name schools; is Michigan one of them? <br>

One of the top junior quarterbacks in the country is Matthew Stafford from Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas. While it is still early in the process for the (U.S. Army Combine stats) 6-foot-3, 212-pound Stafford, he is already receiving a lot of attention. "A lot of coaches are coming by my school," he said. "The Michigan quarterback coach (Scot Loeffler) was here the other day. He seems like a good guy."

Stafford reports offers from Georgia, SMU and Louisville, with others apparently close. "I don't want to say who is close to offering," he said. "Just in case they don't. Michigan hasn't offered yet." He said leaving Texas would not be a problem.

While Stafford didn't list a favorite, he did admit to growing up a Florida State fan. Both his parents attended school at FSU, with his father lettering in swimming. He also has family in Florida. He camped at FSU in the eighth-grade and was in the stands for this years Florida-FSU game. "But, that doesn't mean anything," he said. "I'm going to look around and see what's out there."

Selected as the District Offensive Player of the Year, Stafford threw 18 touchdown's his junior year. He describes himself as a drop-back passer who can run. "My first thought is to pass," he said. "But if I need to scramble I have that ability too." He said he doesn't play any other positions for Highland Park.

As for attending any camps this year, Stafford said he wasn't sure, but may go to the Nike Camp at TCU. He said he hadn't decided which school camps to attend.

Stafford will be attempting a new trick this spring. "I'm going out for track this year," he said. "I'm going to do the high-jump, I've never done it before so it's going to be interesting."